Tuesday, October 20, 2009

"These boots were made for walkin'..."

This is a wonderful time of year. The weather starts to cool, and I rediscover my boots.

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I got them in 2001, when The Engineer and I took a trip to San Antonio, TX to celebrate our first anniversary. I'd never before owned cowboy boots (except maybe when I was a kid), so I felt it was a big step to take.

In fact, I didn't even wear them much for the first year or two--I guess I just wasn't in touch with my inner cowgirl, and I didn't have the sass to pull off boots. But once I did start wearing them, and got them broken in, I discovered I loved them.

There's something about a good pair of cowboy boots. That soft, supple leather cradles your feet, and the supportive soles are great for walking on the range or, in my case, in the grocery store. Your heels are supposed to move up and down in the boot a bit as you walk. That means every year I have to develop little heel callouses, but once that break-in phase is over, I love the feel of shoes that aren't too constrictive. They feel natural and great.

And the cool thing about cowboy boots is that there are so many different styles. If you aren't really the type to listen to George Strait and go to rodeos on the weekend, you don't have to buy boots with pointy toes and with intricate, multicolored designs stitched into the leather. My boots are Justin Ropers--they are pretty plain, with low heels and rounded toes. When I visited my sister and she saw them poking out under my jeans, she said, "Those almost look like cowboy boots." I lifted my jeans and said, "They are!" They're simple enough that when I'm wearing them I don't feel that my outfit's incomplete without a cowboy hat and a pair of Wranglers (neither of which I own.)

Since I started wearing my boots, there have been winters in which they've sat, forgotten, on my closet floor. But in years such as this one, when I remember how much I love to wear these boots, my feet--and my inner cowgirl--rejoice. Yee haw!

8 comments:

Leslie said...

I have to tell you that I love the boots! I have some Ariat ropers that look almost like those! However...if you EVER have to buy more, put some Ariats on your feet at the store. They just might become your new sneakers! They are SOOOOO comfy!

I do however own the Wranglers and hat to go with the boots! :) I own a pair of brown lacers too (ropers that lace up!)!! I love them! I wear them so much that I need new laces for them now! lol

Anyways! I hope you enjoy your boots this winter! :) They REALLY are the most comfortable things you can wear...and they are warm too!

LEstes65 said...

This reminds me that I am sadly lacking cowboy boots in my closet. I have a pair of awesome engineer boots but it's not quite the same. I better start looking. I might have to check out those Ariats Leslie mentioned above!

Cathy said...

nope, don't think you had boots as a kid - unless someone handed them down to you...

I've only had one pair also - my Ariats and love them but forget to wear them most winters since I keep them in a box the rest of the year - don't think I ever took them out last year. I need to do that so I can start wearing them.

Call Me Cate said...

My boots are a bit more city than yours but I pulled them out this weekend. It's good to have them back.

I really miss my cowboy boots. I had the most awesome pair, perfectly broken in. I actually used them for horseback riding but they were like slippers on my feet.

Yay for boot weather!

Bobbi said...

Love them! I've never owned a pair of cowboy boots, except maybe the ones I had as a kid... With the cooler weather this fall, I MAY just have to get MYSELF a pair of funky cowboy boots. :)

Our Scoop said...

Very cute! I want some :) I'm sure I can find some in AZ too! Sorry to see on your side thingy over here that Zoodle is running a fever and appears sick!

InspiredDreamer said...

Super-fun! I think I had cowboy boots when I was about 4. Maybe I'll have to keep an eye out for a new pair. :)

2cats said...

I am a country girl. But not the country girl who wears cowboy boots. The boots this country girl wears are called Sorels. Just warm, warm winter boots.